The attractive Benchmade Model 730 Ares may attract users looking for a strong tactical folder at a reasonable weight. First youll notice the striking sculpted G10 handles that have been offered in different colorations including the super cool plum/black Elishewitz version shown. The 730 as such holds a lot of collectible enjoyment. And if you get past the overyly hyped and laughable Benchmade writeup (copy) on this knife, youll notice it is also a extremely serviceable knife as well. The …

Weighing in a just 3.8 oz and featuring a fast, perfectly swept AUS8 blade, the SOG Tac Auto is an excellent tactial auto choice. It’s standout features include: reasonable 3.8 oz weight, PERFECT pocket clip, attractive finishing, quality AUS8 swept drop point blade, glow in the dark SOG logo (!), perfect jimping, solid and fast lockup, and thin size. It’s a lot of auto knife for around 0 and I highly recommend it. Downsides would be the slick albeit attractive and thin handle and the …

Initially I was quite enthralled with the Dejavoo 740 by Benchmade. And still it remains an excellent folding tactical knife with many positive features like: superb flat ground S30V steel blade, lightning fast deployment, titanium drilled-out liners, excellent fit and finish throughout, solid lockup, bronze bushings, handsome looks, ergonomic handle, and a good clip. But it does have several significant downsides you need to be made aware of like: possibly a weak liner lock, NO blade …

What cool knives. You’ll first be struck by their super lightweight at 2.6 oz. Few tactical folders can match this weight while providing a decent sized, well designed blade. Fit and finish is top notch as in all Microtech knives. Deployment speed (a bit slower) and the small handle for grasping would be the downsides of this design. However for a knife that enjoys an almost perfect 1 to 1 handle to blade ratio I’ll take it. Sadly this knife is out of production and you’ll have to pursue it …

The Benchmade Mini Barrage 585 is a great EDC choice. I love the assisted opening Axis lock mechanism. It’s fast, strong, durable, and locks up securely with no movement. The Zytel handle offers unimpressive traction but shows interesting styling. I would much prefer a high traction G10 or Micarta scaled version of these knives, especially since the Model 585 hovers around the price point. However, even as is, the handle ergos are good and the 585 places well in hand in either forward or …